FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GEORGE LOPEZ TO HEADLINE 3RD ANNUAL HOUSTON
LATINO BOOK AND FAMILY FESTIVAL

Produced by Latino Literacy Now and Edward James Olmos, the Festival's mission is to reduce illiteracy and advance the cause of reading in the Latino community

Carlsbad, Calif., September 29, 2004 - The Latino Book & Family Festival, the largest Latino consumer expo in the United States, is in its eighth year of promoting literacy, culture, and education via popular educational Festivals for the Latino family and will hold its next event in Houston, Texas.

Special Guest of Honor at the Houston event will be comedian/author George Lopez, who will be signing his new book, Why You Crying? My Long, Hard Look at Life, Love, and Laughter. Other special literary guest include, Univision news co-anchor and author Maria Antonieta Collins, Giselle Blondet, co-host Univision’s Despierta America, MLS Star and former Los Angeles Galaxy player Mauricio Cienfuegos, Xavier Garza, Lorraine Lopez, Neo Franco Cantu, Diane Bertrand and many others being added daily.

“We are extremely proud our event has resonated so powerfully with the Latino community,” said Edward James Olmos, co-producer. “We have expanded our Festival related programs to include more interactive events for the community to participate in. This expansion is the truest sign that we are becoming successful in our mission to produce quality, educational events for the Latino community.” These programs include: Open A Book, Change Your Future, a scholastic participation program for elementary, middle and high schools and Folklórico Challenge USA, featuring regional competition for three age levels at each of our Festival venues with national finals to follow.

Co-hosts for the Houston Festival are Nuestra Palabra: Latino Writers Having Their Say and Pancho Clause Scholarship & Art Fund. For the third straight year the Houston Latino Book & Family Festival is honored to have the Houston Chronicle as Presenting Sponsor. The Chronicle has proved to be an excellent partner and has been instrumental in the initial growth of this event – potentially the largest literary event in the State of Texas for 2004. Other major sponsors for the 2004 Houston Festival include Nestle, Western Union, Chase Home Finance, Selecciones: Readers Digest en Español, Barnes & Noble, Continental Airlines, CenterPoint Energy, Nick Jr., Rice University, H-E-B Stores, Univision 45, The Girl Scouts of the USA, Houston PBS 8, Christus St. Joseph Hospital, KTRK-TV ABC 13, Harris County Public Library, Houston Public Library, Houston Community College, Amerigroup, the Greensheet, The Houston Calendar, NHPO, CACHH, K-LOVE-106.5, 102.9 Estereo Latino, 90.1 KPFT and Telefutura 67.

The Festival is free to the public, and is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm on Saturday and from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday and features a show floor with six distinct activity areas:

Book Village

English and Spanish, children and adult books are on display coupled with respective, scheduled author readings and book signings.

Careers, Education, & Technology Village

Available options in higher education, quality children’s primary and secondary education alternatives, and employment opportunities are showcased within this village. This section also explores the explosive growth of the Internet and eCommerce and how these new tools for entertainment, education, and business can benefit the Latino community.

Children’s Village

Young people in attendance are able to participate in entertaining learning activities with their peers. Children’s book publishers and displays of toys and children’s clothing make the section a well-rounded destination for families. Story telling by famous authors with follow-up activities that encourage reading comprehension are one of many activities offered.

Culture & Travel Village

Information on domestic or international travel, recreation facilities close enough for weekend getaways, or cultural clothing, arts, and crafts are available. Attendees also have the opportunity to speak with artists and learn about local and national cultural organizations that service their community.

Health Village

Health and fitness is the focus of this village featuring hospitals, cost-efficient insurance options, health care and nutritional expert professional advice.

Sessions on the importance of testing and regular check-ups, affordable health care, arthritis, cholesterol and diabetes are some of the educational programs offered.

Mi Casita Village

Intelligently buy, furnish and maintain a home with the information provided by home experts in “Mi Casita” seminars and workshop.  Onsite meetings with professionalrealtors, insurance representatives, home remodelers and pool builders are obtainable.

2004 Festival Dates
 
San Diego
May 15-16  •Southwestern College

Latino Book Awards
June 3 •Chicago (held in conjunction with Book Expo America)

Phoenix

August 28-29 • Phoenix Civic Plaza

Los Angeles
September 11-12 •California State University, Los Angeles

Houston
October 16-17 •George R. Brown Convention Center

Chicago
November 27-28  • Unity School, Cicero, IL

Inland Empire of Southern California
December 11-12 • Carousel Mall, San Bernardino

2005 – New Events
Dallas/Fort Worth
Winter (Jan./Feb./March) • TBA

Northern California
Spring (Mar./April/May) • TBA

About The Latino Book & Family Festival

The Latino Book & Family Festival is operated by Latino Literacy Now, a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization that supports literary excellence, reading and education. Actor, director and community activist, Edward James Olmos and Kirk Whisler, founding past president of the National Association of Hispanic Publications, produce the Festival. Past sponsors include Target Stores, Nissan, Chase Bank, Telemundo, Wells Fargo, Chrysler, Univision, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Washington Mutual, The Houston Chronicle and Continental Airlines.